Approximately 5,000 Bangladeshi expatriates living in Thailand, including the capital Bangkok, celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr with traditional festivities, religious solemnity, and a sense of communal harmony.
Although the familiar atmosphere of home is missed, the community recreated the spirit of the festival through mutual camaraderie and local initiatives.
The timing of the celebration followed the religious guidance and moon-sighting directives of Thailand’s top cleric, known as the ‘Sheikh-ul-Islam’.
Congregations and prayers
Eid prayers saw large gatherings of worshippers from early morning.
A significant portion of the Bangladeshi community attended the Eid jamaat at Bangkok’s largest Islamic Centre, joining Muslims from various South and Southeast Asian nations.
Congregations were held at local mosques in the Sukhumvit, Silom, and Nana areas. Following the prayers, worshippers exchanged greetings through traditional embraces, fostering a unique bond of brotherhood far from home.
Traditional cuisine and festivities
Traditional food remained central to the celebrations, with families preparing delicacies such as semai, payesh, polao, biryani, and various sweets. Many expatriates also visited Bangladeshi restaurants in the Sukhumvit area to enjoy authentic flavours and socialise with compatriots.
For recreation, many families and friends visited prominent landmarks such as IconSiam in Bangkok, while others travelled to the coastal city of Pattaya and nearby tourist destinations during the holiday.
Embassy initiatives
The Bangladesh Embassy played a proactive role in bringing the community together. Last year, the mission organised an Eid reunion where Ambassador Faiyaz Murshid Kazi exchanged greetings with expatriates. The event, which featured traditional Bangladeshi cuisine, was also attended by representatives of the Thai Muslim community.
In a gesture of solidarity, the Embassy extended special support to the “July warriors” currently undergoing treatment at Vejthani Hospital in Bangkok. To alleviate their sense of isolation, the mission delivered special meals and Eid greetings to these young patients receiving care far from their families.
Connection with home
Despite the distance, expatriates maintained close contact with their families in Bangladesh through video calls and social media to share the joy of the day.
For the Bangladeshi diaspora in Thailand, Eid serves as more than a religious festival; it is a vital occasion for maintaining cultural roots and fostering unity.
Faiyaz Murshid Kazi is the Ambassador of Bangladesh to Thailand.
